PA Governor Corbett Signs Legislation to Aid Financially Distressed Schools

Also signs other legislation

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today signed into law House Bill 1307, legislation designed to help financially distressed school districts and ensure education for the children who live in these communities.

"Any kind of school reform or school rescue has to be, first and foremost, about the students,'' Corbett said. "This bill provides the framework for the state Department of Education to intercede and work with local officials to help reconstruct a failing district while making sure the students in that district still receive an education.''

The new law establishes a set course of action that will help guide financially distressed school districts back onto solid economic ground. Under the new law, the state will provide financial aid as well as management assistance.

"This bill is about saving the educations of students when the system has failed them. The state constitution guarantees every child an education and we intend to see that obligation fulfilled,'' Corbett said. "The total cost of implementing this bill is, at present, just under $6 million. The cost of not acting is to lose a generation of young people to a failed system.''

The distressed school measure is one of the initiatives that have been enacted to improve education for Pennsylvania students. Other initiatives include the enhancement of the teacher evaluation system, expansion of the educational improvement tax credits as well as other changes to the School Code.

The governor and legislative leaders have reiterated their commitment to charter school reform when the General Assembly reconvenes in the fall.

Gov. Corbett today also signed two other bills: House Bill 1749 (P.N. 2238) and House Bill 1588 (P.N. 3346), both of which address county hotel taxes.

To read the text of any bill, visit the General Assembly's website at www.legis.state.pa.us. Visit Governor Corbett online at www.governor.pa.gov.

Media contact:  Kevin Harley, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor